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Friday, 15 November 2013

Struggling to be Social

My social life is pretty non existent at the moment, both in real life and online. Social Media is a big part of my life. This is a double edged sword. I like that by blogging my brain is kept active. I love going to toddler music groups and soft play, but after six years of doing this, I need something else. This is where my blog comes in. It is my "job" just not a conventional one. One of the things I miss the most about working is my colleagues. There was always someone around to pick you up if you were having a bad day. Now twitter takes that place. I love that a quick tweet and someone is there offering their advice or picking you up with a joke. A lot of people don't realise how social blogging actually is. There is a lot of interaction on posts and across the many social platforms. Indeed there are a lot of social events in London. You just need to live near London or have some childcare arranged to pick the kids up from school.

Life at the moment is pretty hectic. I find it hard enough to keep up with my blog let alone with the rest of social media. It is so easy to waste time on social media too. I click onto Pintrest and an hour later I have a board full of cake ideas that I don't gave the time to make. I get lost in twitter conversations, where I barely know what is being talked about because I have got distracted by something happening in real life. I know that my real life is far more important but I struggle with acknowledging that I can't do more than I already do. For my blog to grow further I need to be more social in social media and I just haven't got the time. I am sure that in a years time when I have more time, I will be wishing my children back home. When I have the time to be social on the social media front, I wonder if I will.

Maybe it's just a case that I need to be more organised with my socialising. Keep an hour aside a week to visit my favourite blogs and others that catch my eye. Limit my time looking at cakes on Pintrest. Only join the linkys where I know I have time to visit the majority of the writers. Next year I will try and get to a couple of blogging events to actually meet more bloggers.

Is it me or do you struggle with keeping social in social media? Do you have any tips on how to manage my time better?

24 comments:

You're definitely not the only one who feels like this, there are days when I really don't have the time or the inclination to be social, and on those days I step away. Sometimes a break, no matter how small, can be beneficial. Sounds like you have a plan in mind to organise your time effectively, not sure what more you can do xx

I am not as active in social media as I would like to be. I know bloggers who prioritise it do gain mileage, but I just find it too distracting when I'm with my toddler - and then I feel guilty! My tips are to schedule tweets when possible, and set a goal of a number of updates per day. I also try to comment on at least 2-3 blogs every day. #PoCoLo

It is hard to do everything! My real social life is non existent! As much as I try to use Twitter I struggle to wade through the 'crap' to find actual real people who I can chat with plus 140 characters is not enough! I am lucky to be in a FB group with a bunch of my blogging friends who I chat with daily. That is my main source of social life and I'd be lost without it! I think you need to find something that works for you and not worry about the rest. And step away from the Pinterest!! :p

Argh! You've just described me. I am definitely not as present on SM as I need to be. I focus more on visiting the blogs on my blog roll, spend zero time on Pinterest and only link up to a linky when I have the time to comment. That would be my advice. It's only very recently I've made those choices. Also, hubby doesn't like me being on twitter in the evenings and I understand that.

I am on social media less and less at the moment but I do sacrifice housework which my partner is not terribly impressed about! I think sometimes you just have to go at your own pace and prioritise other things but the best thing about blogging is that it will always be here x

It's really hard isn't it?! I have 'good' weeks where I'm very 'present' on social media and others where I just can't keep up - but at the end of the day if I ignore my life to be online more, I'd have nothing to blog about :) #PoCoLo

My sentiments exactly. I am very, very new to blogging, and already I feel as if all the social media is taking over my life. I don't like it. All this week, I have been without a smartphone and it has been the best time ever. I decided to be a SAHM so that I am there for my child. I cannot let anything else take over from that priority. That's my rant for the day :-)

I think it important to not let it take over your life. You have to enjoy it but know when to stop. I don't want to look back in a few years and think I missed out on the kids growing up I was on my phone. On the other hand it is great for recording everything and getting out and doing stuff too!

my theory is that i actually just dont have enough time. end of. its not possible right now and im not going to kill myself trying! A friend of mine just started writing a blog and she is really really good and knocking well thought out blog posts every day. I was just starting to feel slightly rubbish about it and then i realised that she has started blog writing the year that her youngest started school. ...think that is going to be very different..at least thats what im hoping!

It is so hard to keep up isn't it?! I'll have a couple of good days and then won't get online at all for a whole day. But using Buffer to schedule tweets has been helpful and committing to only blogging on particular days so that I give my partner some attention occasionally too helps. But I don't have much time to actually read as many blogs as I'd like to in reality! Just not enough hours in the day!! And far too many distractions! #PoCoLo

I feel your pain! I feel so similar to do this. I use Twitter as a chat to my colleagues too. As time has gone on I am getting better at managing my time. I tend to use an as and when basis as weill as setting aside some time during the day. I think it also helps that Grace is nearly 7 and doesn't need me as much as she used to. I am certain all this will change if I have a baby! Thanks for linking to PoCoLo x

It sucks you in if your're not careful. I've cut right back on twitter. I normally have 15 minutes when I'm having my morning cuppa and then a couple of minutes here and there during the day. I've stopped using Pinterest other than to bookmark thins that I want my husband to by me (he follows my boards) and instead spend my time writing maybe three posts a week and reading my favourite blogs. It's rare for me to join in with a linky nowadays - I don't have the time to commit to reading all the posts and I started to feel like I was reading and commenting just for the sake of it.

Think of SM like humus. (Or is that houmous?) GREAT to dip into. But not every night! Don't be so hard on yourself. You'll find a balance in time. And even if it is your work, it should still be something you enjoy… Best advice I can give is that when you feel totally like it's taking over, turn it all off! To hell with the stats, this is supposed to be fun!